Posted on 05/16/2003 2:55:01 PM PDT by Unknown Freeper
(Harlem-WABC, May 16, 2003) — Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.
Police smashed down an apartment door and used a flash grenade in their search for a potentially dangerous suspect. But it was the wrong apartment, and the woman who lived inside is now dead after suffering a heart attack.
What happened at 310 W. 143rd Street was meant to be the end result of a drug investigation based on confidential information from a police informant. But it is now among the most tragic errors of the NYPD.
Lucille Ross, Building Resident: "She was such a lovely person. If something was to happen with her like this, I want to know why."
The search warrant was apparently issued for apartment 6F in the multi-unit building. It was the home of Alberta Spruill.
Today Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said it was based on what investigators thought was reliable information. But it all turned out to be a terrible mistake.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly: "Entry was made by officers from our Emergency Services Unit who used a flash grenade during that entry. Once inside the officers found the occupant, a 57-year-old woman, identified as Alberta Spruill. She was briefly handcuffed while police conducted a cursory search of the apartment. The patrol captain then entered, and saw that the apartment did not match the description given by the informant, and immediately ordered that the handcuffs be removed."
The commissioner said Ms. Spruill soon told officers she had a heart condition, and then complained of chest pains. EMS was called to the scene and administered aid. But Ms. Spruill died a short time later at Harlem Hospital.
Commissioner Ray Kelly: "On behalf of the entire New York City Police Department, I want to offer my condolences and sympathy to the family of Alberta Spruill. I also want to offer my apology. This is indeed a profound tragedy."
Calvin Alston, Building Resident: "We're all just devestated. Really devestated. Because this is a woman that got up and went to church every day ... went to work every day. And we're all just devestated that this would happen to someone like this."
Police Commissioner Kelly did say a "flash grenade" was used at apartment 6F before officers entered. It may be the use of that flash grenade broke procedure. The ESU lieutenant who used it is now on administrative leave pending the investigation. Those grenades have been used 85 times this year.
And NYPD tells us only four mistakes out of 1,900 search warrants have been made this year. The investigation of this tragedy continues.
The officers of law enforcement represent their political bosses. They only represent law-abiding people to the extent that the bosses' goals and interests happen to coincide with the people's.
Consider also that both illegal drug dealers and legal pharamceutical manufacturers both have a considerable stake in keeping Prohibition II. There are many interests that favor keeping the Drug War, but that mean that it benefits the American people.
Most Americans agree that we should reduce our current number of drug users and drug addicts.
Unfortunately, our current WOD is not working, so probably it's time to consider other alternatives.
Drugs are easily available to school children as well as prison inmates.
Even if we locked up all drug users for life, the drug trade will continue to flourish, as much as it prospers in our jails and prisons at the present time.
I propose letting the states decide what to do with drugs, the same way the states decide what to do with alcohol. Then the state that comes up with a winning solution will be emulated by the rest of the Union.
Just as the junkie needs his fix, the gun nut needs to fulfill his macho Rambo fantasies by demanding laws should repealed to allow firearms to fall into the hands of drug peddlers who terrorized this woman's neighborhood.
First you try to blame her death on her poor health, now this bilge?
No matter how you desperately try and spin this, the responsibility for her death rests at the hands of the cops, and those who support the war on drugs.
That would be you.
Then why does the state need to be involved?
Copyright,© 1988-2003 War on Drugs, inc. All rights reserved.
Your low opinion of the reading comprehension of Freepers is noted.
Question: Do you think that there is any way to eliminate the use of presently-illegal drugs in this country which would be effective and yet consistent with the Constitution of the United States?
If so, please identify it.
There isn't a jury on the planet that will buy THAT spin. And there WILL be a jury, unless the city is smart enough to settle out of court.
They're not all crazy, just some of them. If I make a mistake and accuse the wrong person, it isn't my fault. If the crazies weren't out there, I wouldn't think you might be one of them. Blame them.
I'm CRUSHED, I tell you...... :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.